No position group on the 2014 LSU football squad is less aptly named than safety. What a mess, at least in terms of who is going to play.

Two Tigers there are coming off injuries and inconsistent play. Toss in a guy who floundered in a late season audition, one coming off an off-season arrest, a highly-touted freshman who will be a factor and the loss of a five-year senior. It all makes for a mystery stew that may continue to simmer into the season.

There aren't any safe projections here.

"Right now, we have five or six guys that are battling for those two positions," Defensive coordinator John Chavis admitted. "There's competition all over the field. It's a battle that will continue up until game week."

Or beyond. Last year players shuttled in and out all season due to injury and inconsistency. There's no guarantee it won't be that way again with Craig Loston now in the NFL. Jalen Mills moved to safety for the final two games last season but it's not clear if that will continue to be an option.

Ronald Martin, who has eight career starts, seven last season. He's the guy with the most to prove and the best chance to do it. He recorded 38 tackles but missed too many during an up and down season.

He over bulked up last year and was ineffective at 225 pounds, but seems to have a lead on one of the starting posts at a slimmed down 212.

"It was too much coach (strength coach Tommy) Moffitt last year," Martin said with a smile. " I was in there a lot.

"I feel a lot more comfortable. I can move more, more relaxed. I can feel the difference. Eric Reid told me that. Don't worry about putting on weight. Be light and strong. He's about 210, fast and can still bring all of his strength."

Martin's career had a good early start with two interceptions as a sophomore, one he returned for a touchdown. But poor tackling and coverage busts last year contributed to some awful group game performances against Georgia, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

An injury cut his season short and kept him out of spring practice but he said he feels partly responsible for the overall poor play. If anyone at safety should be part of rectifying that, it will be Martin.

"I'm trying to be a leader," he said. "I've been around here the longest.

"We're just trying to get better. We have a great secondary group. We're working on fundamentals and technique to be good as a group. It doesn't matter who we put out there. They'll be ready to go."

Corey Thompson is another who struggled with an injury and inconsistent play. He started five games, but a knee injury vs. Texas A&M ended his season after garnering 40 tackles in 10 games, five as a starter.

He's still battling the effects of surgery having missed the last scrimmage Tuesday but says it was only precautionary. He's trying to get back into the starting lineup now being manned by Martin and Rickey Jefferson.

Jefferson was last seen getting beaten for a touchdown by an Arkansas tight end in last year's season finale. In fairness, he was a true freshman but is being counted on for playing time.

One of the more effusive safeties at a position that demands communication, he may have his spot locked up.

"I watched that tape of Arkansas and Texas A&M over and over again," said Jefferson, younger brother of former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson. "I've been preparing myself, watching film and working on my technique.

"Now I have a lot better grip (on what I'm doing). It's natural to me now.

"I try to bring that intensity. I love what I do, and I know what I'm doing now. I like to play 'Turnt up' like we call it. You gotta play with that swagger."

That brings the discussion to Mills, whose role hasn't been discussed by LSU coach Les Miles. It's likely he will sit out the opener suspended after an arrest for simple battery. He also plays nickel corner but was moved to safety last year when injuries and poor play struck.

Coaches are extremely high on Jamal Adams, who may be to the defense what Leonard Fournette is to the Tiger offense. He's got the look of an upperclassman's body at 6-feet and 207 pounds.

Adams was ranked the No. 1 safety in nation by Scout.com. Then again, so was Loston who never lived up to that ranking. But coaches gush in private about Adams maturity and ability to step in and play, even as a starter. His teammates are similarly impressed.

Said Martin: "Jamal is a great talent. He's going to be a great player here."

Said Thompson: He's out there making plays, talking, communicating, being loud. He's fitting right in."

Fitting in, certainly, but in a puzzle with pieces still somewhat scattered about.